Photo Books

[fkj2]

Well, technically, you don't need to go digital. Plenty of publications still rely on film images. And despite the significant advances in digital technology, they still have not yet surpassed film in quality. You could shoot slide film through the Nikon SLR you already have and produce amazing quality photos without the need to invest in pricey equipment. A good photo lab will be able to scan the negatives or slides at high resolution, suitable for printing anywhere.=)

Really? I thought digital for print publications was all the rage. I felt my older Nikon took great photos, but thought that film was an outdated mode. Although I have been able to do it, it's hard to screw up the photos this Nikon can take.

But, if you ARE going to make the transition to digital, I recommend sticking with the Nikon system you already have. Nikon digital SLRs are backwards compatible (for the most part--some features may not transition over) with their old film SLR lenses. Having a digital body and a film body in your camera bag will make you a very versatile photographer!

If you're on a budget, go for the lower end Nikon DSLR models. The D50, for example, or the D80. Good cameras, not-so-awful prices. They should serve your purpose well. Good luck!

=)

So what you're telling me is that the lenses can be interchanged between the camera I have and a digital Nikon I buy, is that correct?

 

[Master Mason]

And despite the significant advances in digital technology, they still have not yet surpassed film in quality.

Well, just about every photo magazine you read will dispute this. You can get just as good a pictures with modern digital as you can with film. Yes there are differences between film and digital, but a lack of quality is no longer one of the conciderations. If it were, the professionals would all still be using film, and they simply are not.

 

[Gdad]

So what you're telling me is that the lenses can be interchanged between the camera I have and a digital Nikon I buy, is that correct?

Yes- not sure what lenses you have but it should not be an issue as long as you avoid the D40, D40x, and D60 which will not auto focus some older lenses.

 

[SharonLowe]

If you are shooting horses, you do not want to be using flash! If anything, get a good hot light with a diffuser. Just check the photo sites for them - B&H is the best in my opinion.

 

[AndrewWG]

If you are shooting horses, you do not want to be using flash! If anything, get a good hot light with a diffuser. Just check the photo sites for them - B&H is the best in my opinion.

I wondered about this too. Seemed like a good way to get kicked in the face.

 

[dr_zero]

So what you're telling me is that the lenses can be interchanged between the camera I have and a digital Nikon I buy, is that correct?

What model of Nikon do you have now?

If its a auto focus model are the lenses you are using auto focus or manual lenses?

I know it may sound like a odd question but you can use not AF lens on AF bodies some still do it.

 

[fkj2]

I wondered about this too. Seemed like a good way to get kicked in the face.

I will be photographing their feet for this project, and won't be "in their faces" with a flash. And if I were photographing their heads, I'd use a different lens and stand back a distance. Most horses will cooperate if you work with them and give them a chance to understand what you're doing and what you want from them.

Fortunately for me, I own some of the horses, so I'm familiar with how they should be approached. I NEVER work around my own horses without speaking to them so they know exactly where I am. Certainly you're right about how easy it is to get kicked, even when the horse is kicking at one of its herdmates. My dad owned draft horses (think Belgians) and he was always cautioning me when I worked around them.

Back to the camera I'm currently using, it takes good photos even in low light with the regular lens by just adjusting shutter speed and aperature. I just want a back-up plan for extremely dark circumstances and for circumstances when I might not have a great deal of time to get the shot.

And Dr. Zero, it is a manual focus Nikon FM. So what are my options with that or aren't there any??? Thanks.

 

[drcandon]

Hey..the nikon mount in the old F series cameras is mostly compatible with the newer series "D" or digital nikons. If you have a few older lenses they will work with the newer cameras on manual setting/some on AF - you might have to manually meter the shot. Personally I would do that anyways.. I would not trust the older lenses to accuratley meter with the newer "d" cameras....

Now if you want a decent camera and are willing to look around in the used camera department the older Nikon D-70 is an excellent camera. I have one I use as a spare body. I accepts all of the older and newer AF-s lenses and does a resonable job with manual TTL metering. Not so with the newer D nikons - except for the 300 of course.

Also the D-70 can sync with the 600 and 800 series of flashes both on and off the hot shoe - which if you are going to go flash, is a real plus..don't use the built in flash on any of the newer "d" series unless you have to...

Any one more thing to mess you up - if you are doing this stuff for a publication - always shoot raw and post process - don't use jpeg. The older d-70 does a really good job with raw and even thought the sensor and noise filter are separate processors it does not introduce too much noise ( if any). Again the 300 is better but at over $1000.00 for the body ( at least in Canada it is)..it is expensive.

Speaking of older "F" series lenses - Nikon at one time made a F1.2 50mm which is now highly sought after...very fast..manual meter on the newer "d" series cameras - but who cares...if you can find one of those - grab it...

 

[dr_zero]

Now if you want a decent camera and are willing to look around in the used camera department the older Nikon D-70 is an excellent camera. I have one I use as a spare body. I accepts all of the older and newer AF-s lenses and does a resonable job with manual TTL metering. Not so with the newer D nikons - except for the 300 of course.

Also the D-70 can sync with the 600 and 800 series of flashes both on and off the hot shoe - which if you are going to go flash, is a real plus..don't use the built in flash on any of the newer "d" series unless you have to...

Any one more thing to mess you up - if you are doing this stuff for a publication - always shoot raw and post process - don't use jpeg. The older d-70 does a really good job with raw and even thought the sensor and noise filter are separate processors it does not introduce too much noise ( if any). Again the 300 is better but at over $1000.00 for the body ( at least in Canada it is)..it is expensive.

Speaking of older "F" series lenses - Nikon at one time made a F1.2 50mm which is now highly sought after...very fast..manual meter on the newer "d" series cameras - but who cares...if you can find one of those - grab it...

Not to start anything but I was looking at the D70 and got the D50 instead one of the reasons was the ability to use SD cards and the larger view finder and the cheaper price also.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d80/vs-d70.htm

 

[dr_zero]

And Dr. Zero, it is a manual focus Nikon FM. So what are my options with that or aren't there any??? Thanks.

You can use the manual lens but lose AF and metering on most, here is a chart that might help some.
http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/slr-lens.html#chart

Check your pm's also

 

[fkj2]

Speaking of older "F" series lenses - Nikon at one time made a F1.2 50mm which is now highly sought after...very fast..manual meter on the newer "d" series cameras - but who cares...if you can find one of those - grab it...

I think that's what's on the camera: a Nikkor 50mm 1:2 lens. It takes good photos even at slower shutter speeds without using a tripod.

 

[Octoberbabiesrus]

Personally, I would go with a Nikon D40x. I published some pics with that camera. Heck, I use it for my business.

Also, I paid 670 for the camera, and 2 lens.

 

[DizzyV6P]

As mentioned before, the others are recommending the D80, D70, D50 because they include the AF motors while the newer entry-level Nikons, D40, D40x, and D60 do not include the AF motors.

For the OP who already has older Nikon lenses, purchasing a compatible DSLR is key.

 

[Alztybrn]

Have any of you used a site for photo books and/or calanders? Successes or failures? Recommendations?

I am thinking of doing something like this for some Christmas Presents.

 

[michellem1118]

I've used VistaPrint for a photo calendar (free except for the $5 photo upload fee & shipping), and I've used Snapfish for a photo book. I've been quite pleased with the quality.

 

[RBennett]

I'll second the vote for snapfish on the photobooks. When they were having the deal for Oprah's viewers to get a free photobook, I took advantage of it and just got my book in yesterday. Two words: VERY nice!! As far as calendars go, my DW use to work at FedEx Kinko's and we got some calendars done there one year and they came out pretty nice.

 

[cerberus]

I have used snapfis, shutterfly and mypublisher. I like all three, but mypublisher has been my favorite with that said I use snapfish the most because they have so many deals and coupons!

 

[Amy]

I used Shutterfly this year for a calendar, and it turned out really nice.

Used Kodak last year, and I was NOT impressed.

 

[spinetnglr]

I have used Blurb.com for photobooks ... most recently as a wedding gift for a friend who asked me to take pics at their very casual wedding. I was very pleased with the quality and the speed in which I received it ( less than a week after placing the order).

 

[Sorsha]

I did calendars at Walgreens.com last year, and again this year, and have been very pleased. They turned out nice, and were very easy to make. Also very quick. I ordered mine this year on the day before Thanksgiving, and they were ready to ship the day after Thanksgiving.